Monthly Archives: January 2011

More from HCFA’s Legislative Agenda

Posted on January 31, 2011 by

HCFA has a full plate of legislative proposals for the upcoming session. Last week we highlighted bills from ACT!!, our health reform coalition, and Massachusetts Prescription Reform Coalition. Two more coalition bills are summarized in this post. CHAC, the Children’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Health, Health Care Quality | 1 Comment

How should we talk about oral health?

Posted on January 28, 2011 by

Ask Kelsey Williams, Boston University School of Public Health alumna. Kesley Williams generously donated her time and expertise to help Health Care For All and the Oral Health Advocacy Taskforce put together a fantastic video that illustrates why oral health … Continue reading →

Posted in Oral Health | Leave a comment

Budget Part II – MassHealth Cuts Puzzlement

Posted on January 28, 2011 by

[This is our second report on the Governor's FY 12 budget proposal. Our earlier entry looked at public health.] The Governor released his recommended FY 2012 budget yesterday, and saving money in health care programs, particularly MassHealth, was a major … Continue reading →

Posted in budget, MassHealth/Medicaid | Leave a comment

Join HCFA’s Oral Health Team in Lawrence: TOMORROW!

Posted on January 27, 2011 by

Oral health IS health. We want your opinions to help shape a new campaign focused on improving access to critical oral health care, including restoring full MassHealth benefits for adults and ensuring care for kids. Northeast Center for Healthy Communities … Continue reading →

Posted in Oral Health | Leave a comment

FY 12 Budget I: Public Health: “a serious error in judgment”

Posted on January 27, 2011 by

[Note - We're going to cover yesterday's release by Governor Patrick of the FY2012 budget recommendations in two blog posts. This entry focuses on the cuts to public health] The startling statement from Senator Richard Moore, chair of the Health … Continue reading →

Posted in budget, Public Health | 1 Comment

SAVE THE DATE: February 8, 2011

Posted on January 26, 2011 by

The 6th Annual Oral Health Heroes Event is undergoing a transformation! As you know, oral health and school success are inextricably linked. Nationally, children miss more than 51 million school hours each year due to dental disease. Dental decay can … Continue reading →

Posted in Oral Health | Leave a comment

HCFA Rolls Out 2011-12 Legislative Agenda

Posted on January 26, 2011 by

Last week Massachusetts Representatives and Senators introduced over a dozen bills supported by HCFA and the various coalitions we lead. These bills would improve access to and the quality of care for everyone in Massachusetts, particularly those with the most … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform, Prescription Drug Reform | 1 Comment

Times Ponders Drug Coupon Issue

Posted on January 25, 2011 by

If given a choice between a name-brand drug and its generic equivalent, which drug would you prefer to take? If you spent more than two seconds contemplating the answer to this question, then drug companies know you better than you … Continue reading →

Posted in Prescription Drug Reform | 5 Comments

Patient Empowerment: More Than a Slogan

Posted on January 24, 2011 by

Please join us next month for a special event hosted by Health Care For All, the Massachusetts Campaign for Better Care and the Suffolk University Law School Health and Biomedical Law Concentration on Friday, February 11, 2011 at 8:30a.m. at … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare Cost Control | 1 Comment

QCC Updates

Posted on January 21, 2011 by

Wednesday’s Quality and Cost Council meeting (see materials here) included committee updates, the proposed FY12 budget, a few details about payment reform and a patient engagement presentation by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Both the Cost Containment Committee and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality, Healthcare Cost Control | Leave a comment